Visser Group

Ecology and evolution of species interactions

The research in the Visser Group focuses on the ecology and evolution of species interactions, with a focus on seasonal timing of growth and reproduction. We aim to understand the causes of variation in timing and the consequences of this for fitness and population processes.

Seasonal timing is a key life-history trait with major fitness consequences. The Visser-group works mainly on avian timing of reproduction (in great tits, blue tits and pied flycatchers) but also on timing of growth (in winter moths). The research is closely linked to the impact of global climate change on timing and its consequences. The research spans the entire range of genes to populations with research in the wild, in climate controlled aviaries, the molecular laboratory and modelling. An important part of this research has been funded by a NWO-VICI grant (2007-2013) and an ERC Advanced grant (2014-2019). 

The Visser-group also studies the causes and consequences of variation in other traits, such as seasonal and daily clocks and bill size. 

Infrastructure for scientific research

The Visser group is also involved in building infrastructure for scientific research. The main infrastructures are:

LTER-LIFE (www.lter-life.nl)

LTER-NL (www.lter-nl.nl)

eLTER to-be ERIC (https://elter-ri.eu/)

LifeWatch ERIC (https://www.lifewatch.eu/)

SPI-Birds (www.spi-birds.org)

Former group-members

Christiaan Both, Christel Mols, Margriet van Asch, Arild Husby, Ivan de la Hera, Francisco Pulido, Marjolein Lof, Nikkie van Bers, Luc te Marvelde, Sonja Schaper, Tom Reed, Samuel Caro, Davide Dominoni, Phillip Gienapp, Veronika Laine, Jip Ramakers, Irene Verhagen